Congreso Obrero de Filipinas

Congreso Obrero de Filipinas (COF) was the second federation in the history of Manila's labor movement. It was established on May 1, 1913. Its first convention was attended by 155 representatives from 35 organizations. Participating in its first convention were various occupation groups such as cigar makers, government employees, typographers, lithographers, bookbinders, journalists, sailors, clerks, mechanics, and lawyers. The first COF convention lasted four days. Hermenegildo Cruz was elected president, while Primitivo Cruz was chosen as secretary. Its official publication was the Tambuli, which lasted only a year.^[1]

The COF manifesto had five goals:

1. resolve labor problems and questions
2. write a Labor Code to serve as a guide for workers during strikes or conflicts with management
3. set up measures that would lend dignity to the Filipino workers
4. establish definited guidelines on how to form trade unions
5. resolve all problems concerning labor and those submitted for its consideration.^[2]

The COF suffered a major blow in 1929 when problems among its leaders led to a split in the organization. Although the COF was still around by 1937, it was only existing as a paper organization.^[3]

References

1. Kerkvliet, Melinda (1992). Manila Workers Unions, 1900-1950. Quezon City: New Day. pp. 32–34.
2. Kerkvliet 1992,p. 34
3. Kerkvliet 1992,p. 47